Natural medicine researcher and innovator David Senfuka, founder of LEONIA NNN Medical Research and Diagnostic Center Ltd, has dismissed allegations describing him as a “conman,” saying the claims have severely damaged his reputation and business interests.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Friday, Ssenfuka said veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, in an article published by The Independent, falsely alleged that he sought US$1 billion from President Yoweri Museveni to establish a world-class pharmaceutical plant in Uganda to manufacture drugs for cancer and diabetes.
Senfuka denied ever making such a request, arguing that the publication had tarnished both his personal reputation and that of his company, while undermining his relationships with business partners and associates locally and internationally.
He said the herbal medical solution he developed was tested by the government’s Chemotherapeutics Research Institute in Wandegeya, where animal studies reportedly found that it possessed curative properties for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. However, Senfuka did not present evidence from human clinical trials or regulatory approval for the treatment during the press briefing.
The researcher further clarified that he did not initiate his meeting with President Museveni. According to Senfuka, the meeting was arranged by several prominent individuals, including retired Chief Justice Samuel Wako Wambuzi, retired High Court judge Justice John Bosco Katutsi, and former Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, among others, who he claimed had personally benefited from his innovations.
Senfuka also disputed claims that he had already presented a budget to the government, saying Cabinet had requested him to prepare one, but the process is still ongoing. He explained that he contracted a university in Georgia, United States, to develop the proposal, which has not yet been completed.
He added that although he had seen Mwenda publicly apologize to other individuals over previous publications on social media, he had never received a formal apology regarding the allegations made against him.
As a result, Senfuka said he has instructed his lawyers, Onyx Advocates, to institute legal proceedings against Mwenda and The Independent, seeking US$300 million in damages for alleged defamation and reputational harm.
The dispute follows an earlier response by President Museveni to Mwenda’s publication, in which the President questioned why the journalist had not interviewed individuals he described as “conmen,” including Senfuka and engineer Magoola, before publishing the story. Museveni also challenged Mwenda to visit Magoola’s factories in Matugga and Kamuli and to interview people who claimed they had been treated using Senfuka’s herbal medicine.
According to Senfuka, Mwenda later apologized to President Museveni over the publication, but no apology has been extended to him. The matter is now expected to be settled through the courts.
